Fracking should take place in “desolate areas” says UK Lord

North east of England is “desolate” and should be fracked, says former Conservative energy advisor

UK: Fracking should be carried out in the “desolate” north-east of England, Lord Howell, a former Conservative energy adviser has said, prompting criticism and claims the remarks highlighted the party’s “problem with the north”. (Guardian)

US: There is no dichotomy between the environment and the economy, Gina McCarthy told an audience at Harvard during her inaugural address as administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency. (RTCC)

Australia: Eastern Australia has experienced its hottest July to date, with the average temperature in Sydney hitting 2.4 degrees above the norm. (news.com.au)

China: Over ten people in Shanghai have died of heatstroke in the east China city’s unprecedented summer heat (East Day)

Burma: Conservationists have called on Burma to implement strict regulatory frameworks to protect the country’s biodiversity from large-scale infrastructure development projects. In a new study, scientists examined the effects of Burma’s economic development and climate change on vast swaths of natural forests and endangered species. (Irrawaddy)

Taiwan: Taiwan stands to benefit from the long-running trade conflicts over solar panels between China and the United States and Europe, since the tariffs imposed on Chinese solar cells have have driven many manufacturers to buy from Taiwan instead. (NY Times)

Ecuador: Chevron has brought a lawsuit against Steven R. Donziger, the lawyer who sued the company for $18 billion after an environmental disaster that happened in the jungles of Ecuador, charging that he masterminded a conspiracy to extort and defraud the corporation. (NY Times)

Romania: Romania’s government is “open” to the idea of cutting temporarily the supply of carbon permits in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, but only if it does not lead to wider reform of the world’s biggest carbon market. (Point Carbon)

China: Beijing government plans to build over 1,000 kilometers of greenways in the coming five years to ease air pollution (East Day)

UK: O2’s campaign to end the practice of forcing unnecessary charger units on mobile phone customers has taken a major step forward with the launch of the first mass market phone to be offered as standard without a mains charging unit. (Business Green)